A Brief History of Copyright Revision

This panel will briefly recount the 21-year saga that shaped modern copyright law with the enactment of the Copyright Act of 1976. The panelists will revisit some of the major battles, stakeholder positions, and legislative challenges that culminated in the landmark Copyright Act. This is part one of a two-part program by the Copyright Society to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Act with special commemorative programming. A second panel will present related issues at the Annual Meeting in June 2026. Be part of this milestone anniversary as we honor the legacy that continues to shape creativity and innovation today.